Accredited by Asia Theological Association (ATA)

DISTANCE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Cheruvakkal P.O. Ayoor, Kollam
Kerala, India- 691533.
____________________________________________________________

Ecological Significance of Genesis -

ASSIGNMENT TITLE / TOPIC:______________________________________
Remedy for Contemporary Ecological Crisis
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

SUBJECT: PENTATEUCH
SUBMITTED TO: Rev. Dr. Benin B.R

NAME OF THE STUDENT: Cressida Shindle M

PROGRAM: M. DIV / B.TH YEAR OF ADMISSION: 2021

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 20/10/23 REG NO.

Academic Office Use Marks Awarded :

Grade :

Teacher’s Signature:______________________________ Date:____________________

 Cressida 1

The Book of Genesis serves as a profound wellspring of wisdom and insights that can

offer solutions to our current environmental and ecological crises. In a world grappling with

challenges like climate change, pollution, deforestation, and the dwindling of natural resources, it

becomes increasingly essential to draw from the teachings and principles from the Old Testament

to steer our response. This essay delves into the Genesis viewpoint on environmental stewardship

and the interconnectedness of all living beings. It examines pivotal biblical passages and lessons

that underscore humanity's responsibility to nurture the Earth and its inhabitants while

highlighting the consequences of neglecting this duty. Furthermore, this exploration considers

the relevance of these teachings in our modern context and how they can guide our endeavours to

tackle the urgent environmental and ecological issues we face today. In essence, this paper

underscores that the book of Genesis provides a compelling and pertinent perspective on

contemporary environmental and ecological challenges, offering valuable direction to those

dedicated to promoting sustainability, justice, and the prosperity of our planet for all living

creatures.

In formulating a Genesis perspective on contemporary environmental and ecological

challenges, it is imperative to consider the biblical teachings regarding God's creation and

humanity's role. According to the Genesis narrative, God fashioned the world and pronounced it

inherently good. As the chosen custodians entrusted with the care and cultivation of the Earth,

humanity has been endowed with a unique position (Gen. 1:26-28). However, the intrusion of sin

and the ensuing discord initiated by the Fall of Man also brought a curse upon the land. In God's

words, "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil, you will eat food from it all

the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the

field" (3:17-18). This divine curse altered the once flourishing environment due to human
 Cressida 2

transgression, yielding thorns and thistles. Since humanity relies on the Earth for sustenance and

shelter, the curse extends its repercussions to humankind. No longer can individuals partake in

the abundance of food without toil, for they must now labour for their provisions.

Furthermore, with the advent of sin, humanity's growing self-centeredness led to the

degradation of the environment and the excessive depletion of its natural resources. Lynn White

argues that the Bible has fostered the exploitation of nature. White contends that Genesis 1-2

illustrates that God designed creation "explicitly for man's benefit and rule: no item in the

physical creation had any purpose save to serve man's purposes."1 This implies that effective

environmental stewardship places human needs at the forefront when they come into conflict

with the needs of other animals, even when the intention is to address the needs of all living

beings.2 According to White, Christianity has historically aligned with this biblical idea of

dominion over creation, promoting the idea of humanity transcending nature and exploiting it for

its own benefit. He argues that this perspective has significantly shaped the development of

modern Western science and technology, both of which have posed threats to our environment.

As a result, White concludes that "Christianity bears a significant responsibility" for the ongoing

environmental crisis.3

Scholars have thoroughly investigated the biblical viewpoint on nature in light of these

biblical interpretations and our increasingly severe environmental challenges. Their findings

1
Lynn White, “The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis,” Science 155, no. 3767 (October
1967): pp. 1203-1207, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.155.3767.1203, 1205.
2
“A Biblical Perspective on Environmental Stewardship,” Acton Institute, February 13, 2023,
https://www.acton.org/public-policy/environmental-stewardship/theology-e/biblical-perspective-
environmental-stewardship.
3
Lyn White, “Historical,” 1206.
 Cressida 3

reveal that contrary to common misconceptions - the Bible provides valuable insights that can

form the foundation of robust environmental ethics. They demonstrate that the Bible affirms the

intrinsic goodness and worth of all living beings. It underscores the parallels between humans

and all forms of life. And issues directives to treat the natural world with reverence. These

discoveries provide compelling rationales for promoting environmental stewardship.4 Humans

often believe that their creation in the image of God grants them superiority over all other beings.

In doing so, they overlook the fundamental truth that they are not separate from creation but an

integral part of it. To put it differently, human beings and all living creatures share in the divine

breath of God. While humans and animals respire through their lungs, plants and trees, possess

their respiratory systems through the process of photosynthesis. As constituents of God's

creation, it is incumbent upon humanity not to inflict harm upon their fellow creations but to

nurture and safeguard them. This responsibility represents one of the roles bestowed upon

humanity, often referred to as environmental stewardship.

However, following the fall, mankind's disregard for environmental care became evident,

notably when God banished Cain for his transgression against his brother. Genesis 4:17 describes

how Cain built a city, indicating humanity's increasing exploitation of the environment beyond

necessity. This man-made achievement reveals a long history of humanity misinterpreting two

fundamental phrases: "man was made in the image of God" and "man was given dominion over

all the earth." While we are created in God's image, it is crucial to recognize that this doesn't

grant us the same power and authority as the divine to control and dominate creation. Instead, we

bear the responsibility of "dominion," a concept that, in the biblical context, entails caring for

4
Tina B. Krause, Care of the Earth: An Environmental Resource Manual for Church Leaders
(Chicago, Illinois: Lutheran School of Theology, 1994),
https://www.webofcreation.org/Articles/bunge.html.
 Cressida 4

and preserving creation, without causing harm or destruction. The destruction of the beautiful

Earth, created for human enjoyment, underscores disobedience to God's command to preserve

the environment. Moreover, this harm extended not only to the Earth but also to humanity itself.

Man's countless sins led to a darkening of the heart, rendering him spiritually blind to the

goodness of God. This alteration of God's will in favour of his own desires resulted in the

development of an abnormal disposition characterized by darkness and corruption, leading to a

wide range of deformities (Genesis 6:1-4).

God desired to renew the face of the Earth with a single word, yet as a loving Creator, He

hesitated to obliterate what He had crafted with boundless love and care. Consequently, He chose

to save the sole individuals who remained pure in His eyes—Noah and his family. Remarkably,

He extended His salvation not only to them but also extended it to a pair of every animal - male

and female ensuring the continuity of His diverse creation. He even waited for the slowest of

animals (snail, tortoise, sloth etc.) to enter the ark before he opened the floodgates of heaven.

This vividly exemplifies God's deep concern for every species He has brought into existence.

Instead of fashioning entirely new creatures for a pristine world, God, in His benevolence, opted

to shield and nurture them within the confines of the ark for a duration exceeding one year.

After the Flood, it is stated, "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and

heat, winter and summer, and day and night will never cease" (Genesis 8:22). This passage

suggests that God has made a covenant with the world to uphold the essential cycles that sustain

humanity and all living creatures for as long as the earth exists.5 God also employs nature to

5
E. Calvin Beisner, “Environmentalism: A Biblical Perspective,” Answers in Genesis, February
8, 2020,
https://answersingenesis.org/environmental-science/climate-change/what-about-environmentalis
m/.a
 Cressida 5

manifest His power and glory, notably through His covenant with Noah using a rainbow

(Genesis 9:13-16). Remarkably, God chose to create something new as a symbol of this

covenant, a rainbow that did not exist before the flood since it relies on rain, which people had

not experienced at the time. Unlike the earth and the ozone layer which can be polluted by

human actions, a rainbow remains untainted, representing purity much like Christ Jesus. Both

serve as covenants with humanity. It also highlights the significance of our response to the

covenant of upholding our duties to safeguard and conserve the Earth. This underscores the

requirement for conscientious environmental methods and a dedicated commitment to nurturing

our planet. This beautiful and unchanging spectacle has endured for centuries, symbolizing God's

unwavering love for His creation, including humanity and the earth.

It is essential to recognize that during Noah's time, God employed the forces of nature to

cleanse the world of sin through a monumental flood. This underscores the significance of

adhering to God's commandments in leading one's life, for when humans deviate from His path,

He may employ natural disasters as instruments of judgment or discipline. Humans wield the

power to defy God and disrupt the established natural order through their acts of rebellion and

apathy. This, in turn, diminishes God's capacity to preserve and sustain the natural world as He

intended. By forsaking God, humans weaken sin's grip on the natural realm, ultimately leading to

disorder and turmoil (see, for instance, Psalms 104:29, 30). In the latter days, we anticipate a

surge in natural catastrophes driven by escalating rebellion, apostasy, and moral decay.

Regrettably, this prophecy has already begun to unfold.

In recent times, there has been a rising frequency of natural disasters, causing severe

repercussions for communities and ecosystems across the globe. Earthquakes, floods, landslides,

forest fires and various natural calamities remind us that creation itself longs for redemption and
 Cressida 6

rejuvenation, much like the entirety of humanity (Romans 8:19-23). As stated by the

well-respected advocate for water conservation, Rajendra Singh, when reflecting on the

extensive floods that struck Northern India in July 2023, he posits that the floods in Delhi were

not solely the consequence of climate change or natural occurrences but a calamity exacerbated

by human actions.6 Between the years 2000 and 2020, a total of 7,348 natural disasters occurred

on a global scale, leading to 1.23 million fatalities and impacting the lives of 4.2 billion

individuals.7 In 2020, the Atlantic witnessed an unprecedented occurrence of thirty named

storms, thirteen of which developed into hurricanes, with six classified as major hurricanes. This

marked a new record for the region.8 The 2019–2020 Australian wildfire season, which

destroyed more than 12 million hectares of land and the tragic loss of an estimated one billion

animals stands as the most devastating on record.9

This year, there has been a substantial increase in the frequency of earthquakes across the

globe. According to data from the United States Geological Survey, as of March 2023, more than

18,000 earthquakes have registered a magnitude of 4.0 or higher.10 These seismic events have led

6
“Yamuna Water Level Receding Slowly, Below Danger Mark In Delhi,” NDTV, July 20, 2023,
https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/yamuna-water-level-receding-slowly-below-danger-mark-in-d
elhi-4224722.
7
“The Human Cost of Disasters: An Overview of the Last 20 Years (2000-2019),” UNDRR
(United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2021),
https://www.undrr.org/publication/human-cost-disasters-overview-last-20-years-2000-2019.
8
“Record-Breaking Atlantic Hurricane Season Ends,” World Meteorological Organization,
December 1, 2020,
https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/record-breaking-atlantic-hurricane-season-ends.
9
“Australian Bushfires - WWF-Australia” (World Wildlife Fund, 2020),
https://www.wwf.org.au/what-we-do/bushfires.
10
“Earthquakes: Magnitude 4.0+ Worldwide,” United States Geological Survey, 2023,
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/.
 Cressida 7

to significant devastation and population displacement in countries such as Japan, Turkey, and

Greece.

The summer of 2023 became the hottest in the Northern Hemisphere's history, resulting

in severe ocean storms, wildfires, floods, and droughts. Fossil fuel emissions from

human-induced climate change played a significant role in these extreme events, says World

Weather Attribution. The period from June to August marked the hottest three months globally,

with July's average temperature exceeding the previous century's by over 2°F. High humidity

alongside extreme heat posed health risks, especially for vulnerable populations. Unprecedented

wildfires occurred, with Canada's worst-ever wildfire season doubling carbon emissions, Greece

experiencing its most intense wildfire emissions, and Maui, Hawaii, facing the deadliest U.S.

wildfire in over a century. Sea temperatures reached record highs, threatening ecosystems and

increasing the risk of coastal disasters, partly due to human-driven ocean warming. The rising

sea levels, dubbed a "threat multiplier" by the United Nations, intensify extreme weather and

flooding events, particularly in the United States.11

However, there is another dimension to the connection between God and natural

disasters: At times, God employs the world to execute His divine plan for humanity. In doing so,

His primary intention is often to curb human transgressions and provide new prospects for His

creations.12 For instance, the global experience of COVID-19 served as a reminder of an

important command – the concept of rest, as God rested on the Sabbath day. This command isn't
11
Noah Berman, “The Weather of Summer 2023 Was the Most Extreme Yet,” Council on
Foreign Relations, September 18, 2023,
https://www.cfr.org/article/weather-summer-2023-was-most-extreme-yet.
12
Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, “Are Natural Disasters God's Punishment?,” Adventist Biblical
Research, 2023,
https://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/materials/are-natural-disasters-gods-punishment/.
 Cressida 8

solely for humans to follow; it was intended for all creation. Observing rest, such as through crop

rotation or letting the land lie fallow, contributes to promoting soil health. During the COVID-19

pandemic, we witnessed significant improvements in nature as people refrained from disturbing

nature. For the first time in a long while, we breathed fresh, unpolluted air, vegetation thrived,

and water bodies became remarkably clear, even revealing the bottoms in some areas. This

underscores the importance of rest as a remedy for contemporary ecological issues, aligning with

the teachings of Genesis. Instead of relentless exploitation, we should allow nature to rest, heal,

and grow stronger.

Practising ecological compassion and responsibility is crucial. We must refrain from

excessive exploitation and address environmental damage by planting more trees and adopting

eco-friendly practices, such as using electric vehicles and public transportation over private cars.

It's vital to recognize that we are not separate from nature but an integral part of it, as ordained

by God's will. Engaging in active environmental stewardship ensures that nature blesses us rather

than serving as a source of punishment.

In conclusion, the Book of Genesis emerges as a timeless source of ecological wisdom,

urging us to integrate its insights into our lives. It calls for a transformation in our relationship

with the environment, emphasizing stewardship over domination. This call carries the weight of

our decisions, affecting not only our generation but all living beings across time. As we witness

the consequences of environmental neglect, Genesis compels us to confront these realities,

acknowledging our power to shape our planet's destiny. Genesis is not just a source of insight; it's

a call to action. In the face of pressing ecological challenges, we stand at a pivotal crossroads:

Will we heed the call to be responsible stewards, working together to secure the future of our

planet for generations to come?

 Cressida 9

Bibliography

Australian bushfires - WWF-Australia, 2020.

https://www.wwf.org.au/what-we-do/bushfires.
Beisner, E. Calvin. “Environmentalism: A Biblical Perspective.” Answers in Genesis,
February 8, 2020.
https://answersingenesis.org/environmental-science/climate-change/what-about-e
nvironmentalism/.
Berman, Noah. “The Weather of Summer 2023 Was the Most Extreme Yet.” Council on
Foreign Relations, September 18, 2023.
https://www.cfr.org/article/weather-summer-2023-was-most-extreme-yet.
“A Biblical Perspective on Environmental Stewardship.” Acton Institute, February 13,
2023.
https://www.acton.org/public-policy/environmental-stewardship/theology-e/biblic
al-perspective-environmental-stewardship.
“Earthquakes: Magnitude 4.0+ Worldwide.” United States Geological Survey, 2023.
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/.
“The Human Cost of Disasters: An Overview of the Last 20 Years (2000-2019).”
UNDRR, 2021.
https://www.undrr.org/publication/human-cost-disasters-overview-last-20-years-2
000-2019.
Krause, Tina B., and Marcia Bunge. Care of the earth: An environmental resource
manual for Church leaders. Web of Creation. Chicago, Illinois: Lutheran School
of Theology, 1994. https://www.webofcreation.org/Articles/bunge.html.
“Record-Breaking Atlantic Hurricane Season Ends.” World Meteorological Organization,
December 1, 2020.
https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/record-breaking-atlantic-hurricane-season-e
nds.
Rodríguez, Ángel Manuel. “Are Natural Disasters God’s Punishment?” Adventist
Biblical Research, 2023.
https://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/materials/are-natural-disasters-gods-pu
nishment/.
White, Lynn. “The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis.” Science 155, no. 3767
(1967): 1203–7. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.155.3767.1203.
“Yamuna Water Level Receding Slowly, Below Danger Mark In Delhi.” NDTV. July 20,
2023.
https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/yamuna-water-level-receding-slowly-below-da
nger-mark-in-delhi-4224722.